A demonstration by climate activists resulted in the suspension of two matches at the Italian Open in Rome.
The last-16 match between Madison Keys and Sorana Cirstea, as well as a doubles match featuring Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin against Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic, were both interrupted.
American Keys was leading 6-2 3-1 when, according to a statement on the Italian Open website,, external two activists wearing orange vests ran on to the court and threw confetti.
Others adhered themselves to the stands until police and firefighters intervened.
The protesters were removed before the match resumed, and Madison Keys defeated Romania’s Sorana Cirstea with a score of 6-2, 6-1.
Similar disruptions occurred during the doubles match on court 12.
Naomi Osaka was defeated 6-2, 6-3 by China’s Zheng Qinwen in the last 16.
Zheng, the runner-up at the Australian Open in January, secured seven consecutive games after trailing 2-1 in the first set.
She clinched victory in one hour and 24 minutes against Japan’s Osaka, who was competing in the tournament for the first time since 2021.
Zheng will face either Coco Gauff or Paula Badosa in the quarter-finals.